Upgrading to 3 phase

[gentmach]

I now own a building in Illinois. I am hoping that I can put a machine shop in it. The largest obstacle is that it lacks 3 phase electrical. I have been asking around for upgrading the service to 3 phase and I get numbers like $15,000.

So my question to you fine folks is, have any of you done an upgrade and what did it cost you? I doubt that it will be as expensive as people say because there is a weld shop on one side and a grain processing plant on the other.

[sokoloff]

Look up: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rotary_phase_converter

Don't upgrade the service. Buy one of those per machine.

[wienerdog]

I used one of these solid state converters from American Rotary for single phase to three phase.  I needed the ability to regen back to the grid under some circumstances and for long periods of time.  I never had any problem out of it.  Look at their industrial rotary line depending on how much HP your motors add up to if you don't need regen.  I used the phase perfect 20 (20 hp).

https://www.americanrotary.com/products/view/solid-state

[adamcollin]

I agree with Sokoloff. Rotary phase converter is a smart and affordable option.